17TH CENTURY

Details

AN IMPRESSIVE LARGE ARCHAISTIC RHINOCEROS HORN 'NINE-DRAGON' LIBATION CUP
17TH CENTURY
Raised on a tall foot and carved around the exterior with a taotie band interrupted by notched flanges and reserved on a leiwen ground, the openwork S-scroll handle flanked by two large chilong to the top, three smaller ones at the base and a further four around the exterior, the rim with key-fret bands and a stylised dragon in shallow relief to the interior, the horn of a warm dark brown tone
7¼ in. (18.5 cm.) long

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Sale room notice

Please note this lot is accompanied by a letter from Animal Health agreeing that Christie's may sell it without further CITES certification and confirming that they would be likely to grant an export permit for it to leave the EU post-sale.

Brought to you by

Louise Britain

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

lbritain@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2574

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

This impressive libation cup is a fine example of the level of skill and attention to detail carvers possesed. Compare with a Ming dynasty 'nine dragons' rhinoceros horn libation cup sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 31 May 2010, lot 1804 and another in the collection of the late Dr. Ip Yee illustrated in Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, London, 1999, p.130, no. 135. See also a cup with very similar carved monster-masks and flanges in the Durham University Oriental Museum, illustrated in ibid, p. 154, no. 188.

The depiction of nine dragons is particularly auspicious as the number nine was regarded as a perfect number by the Chinese and emblematic of heaven and the ruling emperor.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All